Shepherd to raise tuition 5 percent

SHEPHERDSTOWN – Shepherd University students, from underclassmen to graduate, will soon be paying more to attend classes.

The university’s board of governors has approved a 4.96 percent tuition increase for both in-state and out-of-state students. Students will also see an increase in room and board rates, officials said.

Beginning this fall, in-state tuition will be $3,285 per semester as compared to $8,314 per semester for out-of-state students.

Room rates will also increase 3.8 percent, and board rates will rise by 2.06 percent.

Graduate fees per credit hour will increase by 4.45 percent or $17 for in-state students, and 4.98 percent or $27 per credit hour for out-of-state students.

University communications executive director Valerie Owens said a larger increase was approved last year, which resulted in a 7.2 percent raise for in-state students and a 4.6 percent tuition hike for out-of-state students.

That meant in-state students were charged $422 more per semester and out-of-state students paid $703 more per semester for fiscal year 2013-14, Owens said.

Although the school’s enrollment has been fairly steady in recent years, finances continue to be an issue as state funding declines, she said.

Before making a decision at the April 3 meeting, BOG members “took into consideration a second year of budget cuts, anticipated to be 3.75 percent, as well as market research comparing Shepherd to competitor institutions,” according to a press release announcing the increases.